Email   Print   Share By Heather Graham-Ashley, Sentinel News Editor

Facebook Digg Delicious March 22, 2012 | News

Exterior views of the NICoE facility illustrate the open-air, serene environment that carries throughout the center’s interior. The center has provided comprehensive, outpatient treatment to service members with TBI and other complicating conditions since 2010. There are hopes to build additional centers at other installations.Soldiers interested in attending NICoE should contact their commands to see if they are eligible. Courtesy of DCoE

Exterior views of the NICoE facility illustrate the open-air, serene environment that carries throughout the center’s interior. The center has provided comprehensive, outpatient treatment to service members with TBI and other complicating conditions since 2010. There are hopes to build additional centers at other installations.Soldiers interested in attending NICoE should contact their commands to see if they are eligible. Courtesy of DCoE

My Family, like many other military Families, has struggled with the effects of post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and pain from the physical wounds of war. Fortunately, we were among the lucky few afforded the opportunity to receive assessment and treatment at the National Intrepid Center of Excellence in Bethesda, Md.

The Department of Defense’s premier treatment facility for service members living with complex wounds from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, NICoE changed our lives.

During the nearly month-long assessment and treatment period, providers at NICoE eased my husband’s physical pain and taught our Family ways to cope with the often frustrating affects that a brain injury can cause.

At NICoE, I accompanied my husband to appointments with providers who are leading the fields when it comes to PTS and TBI diagnoses and treatments. In all, my husband received more than 100 hours of one-on-one treatment with his providers during our stay. We were told the treatment at NICoE is the equivalent of more than three years of regular treatment in the military healthcare system.

Treatment was comprehensive and intense. As my husband received MRIs, hearing tests, lessons about nutrition, occupational therapy, acupuncture, consults about his medicine, acupuncture and Botox injections in his head, neck and back, I joined other spouses for support groups, art therapy and horseback riding. Together, we had Family counseling and learned how to advocate for his continued treatment.

We lived in Fisher House 3, a short walk from NICoE, with other Families receiving treatment at the program. Communal living gave us an opportunity to bond with other Families facing the same challenges and worries.

Leaving the program was difficult, but we left with hope and information, as well as a 16-page individualized treatment plan. We left grateful to have been there.